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Novak Djokovic and Misogyny in Sport

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‘Man of Steel’ or Poundland brain of cheap aluminium? That Is my question. Djokovic has really gone down in my estimations, and more than anything I am bitterly disappointed that someone of great sporting achievement and strength, has such intolerant and archaic values.

Djokovic stated male tennis players should earn more money than their female counterparts as they have a larger spectatorship. This sounds like a reasonable point, except when you consider the funding and sponsorship that is pumped into male tennis compared with the women.

Looking at the figures, it really is shocking how disparate the prize money for men and women is:

$21.65m won by Novak Djokovic in 2015

$10.58m won by Serena Williams in 2015

(Figures taken from BBC)

This is a filthy, colossal amount of money for anyone to earn just for playing sport, in my opinion, but the huge difference in pay here is just unacceptable.

Who decides that spectatorship is a worthy measure of disparate pay? It could just as easily be measured by how long you’ve contributed to the sport itself. Let’s lay down a few small facts that ask big questions:

Serena Williams turned pro in 1995, Djokovic turned pro in 2003.

Serena Williams has won a total of 21 Grand Slams, Djokovic has won 11.

Both are ranked as current world no.1 respectively.

However, there is the argument that women play less sets than the men, and therefore should earn less relative to this. It must be remembered, however, that the women playing the sport, are acting under the influence of the men dominating the sport from above – big bosses like CEO Raymond Moore, who is now, thankfully, in disrepute.

I use Serena Williams as she is a standing example of a fine sportsperson that is not recognised by her fellow sportsmen as being worthy in equal monetary terms, despite her outstanding achievements and contributions to the tennis profession. I speak not on behalf of avid sports and tennis enthusiasts, or even on behalf of women.

I speak on behalf of all ‘Serenas’ out there. I feel this level of logic qualifies me to speak on the issue, in the same way Djokovic feels entitled to earn double simply because he is a man.